BIRN Kosovo held a four-day training course from November 6 to 12, 2024, at the Correctional Center in Lipjan with women prisoners.
The course aimed at preparing these 13 female prisoners for reintegration into society,focused on property law, financial management, and grant applications.
Over the four days, they were introduced to key concepts related to property ownership, financial independence, and access to grants.
The training was designed to provide practical skills that would help the women rebuild their lives and their transition back into society after release.
The training was divided into two groups, with each group attending for two consecutive days.
It began with an overview of property law, led by Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Office Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo. He explained the importance of property ownership, methods of acquiring property and the legal processes involved in registering and protecting property rights. This session provided participants with a basic understanding of how property rights can affect their financial security and independence.
The next session, led by Kreshnik Gashi, Editor-in-Chief of KALLXO.com, focused on the legal and institutional frameworks that protect property rights. Gashi discussed the role of mechanisms such as the Free Legal Aid Agency in securing property rights and outlined the steps women can take if they encounter problems with property rights.
The second day focused on financial management and practical skills for self-reliance.
Albulena Sadiku, Senior Programs Manager at BIRN Kosovo, led a session on writing project proposals. She discussed how to structure proposals, define clear objectives and outline activities for successful project outcomes. Sadiku emphasized the importance of project management skills, covering essential steps for effective project implementation and monitoring.
Later, Visar Prebreza, Managing Editor of KALLXO.com, led a session on starting a business and applying for grants. He provided guidance on identifying grant opportunities, understanding eligibility requirements and overcoming the challenges of the grant application process.
The women were encouraged to actively participate by asking questions and sharing experiences. The interactive format allowed for a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical insights that they could immediately apply to their personal situations.
By equipping participants with essential skills in property law, financial management and grant writing, the program aimed to help the women regain control of their lives and achieve long-term stability.
The goal was to give the women the tools and confidence they need to live independently and successfully reintegrate into society. By the end of the course, participants said they had gained valuable knowledge and practical skills.
The training was organized as part of the PIAKOS – Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities in Kosovo – project with BIRN acting as co-implementing party. The project is financed by the World Bank/State and Peacebuilding fund.